Seven Principles
Principle (from the Latin principium, meaning "beginning, foundation") is a technical term used in Theosophy, which refers to "a fundamental essence, particularly one producing a given quality."[1] In this view, there are seven principles constituting both the universe and human beings:
Principles. The Elements or original essences, the basic differentiations upon and of which all things are built up. We use the term to denote the seven individual and fundamental aspects of the One Universal Reality in Kosmos and in man. Hence also the seven aspects in the manifestation in the human being—divine, spiritual, psychic, astral, physiological and simply physical.[2]
Seven Principles in Human Beings
The first publication describing the seven principles in human being was by A. O. Hume and it came as a result of his correspondence with some of the Mahatmas, part of which was published in the book The Mahatma Letters to A. P. Sinnett.
1. The Physical body, composed wholly of matter in its grossest and most tangible form.
2. The Vital principle --- (or Jiv-atma) ---, a form of force, indestructible and when disconnected with one set of atoms, becoming attracted immediately by others.
3. The Astral body (Linga Sharira) composed of highly etherialized matter; in its habitual passive state, the perfect but very shadowy duplicate of the body; its activity, consolidation and form depending entirely on the kama rupa.
4. The Astral shape (kama rupa) or body of desire, a principle defining the configuration of ---
5. The animal or physical intelligence or consciousness or Ego, analogous to, though proportionally higher in degree than, the reason, instinct, memory, imagination, &c., existing (1) in the higher animals.
6. The Higher or Spiritual intelligence or consciousness, or spiritual Ego, in which mainly resides the sense of consciousness in the perfect man, though the lower dimmer animal consciousness co-exists in No. 5.
7. The Spirit --- an emanation from the ABSOLUTE; uncreated; eternal; a state rather than a being.